Steering Column Problems of Kia Motor Optima - part 1

While driving and rotating the steering wheel left ot lright there is a "clunking" noise. The service rep at kia stated that this is a steering column coupler. While driving there are certain points where the stering wheel shakes turning and hitting little deviation on the highway. According to buyautoparts. Com :the steering coupler, which includes a cylindrical rubber bushing, ensures the transfer of movement from the steering wheel to the steering rack. The axis of the cylindrical bushing is almost perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the steering system. I do not believe any shaking while driving on the steering wheel should not occur. No warning lights have occured since the problem has been noticed.

See all problems of the 2014 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

Tl the contact owns a 2015 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, it was difficult to keep the vehicle centered in the lane. The contact stated that the power steering feature was not operating as designed. The contact pulled over and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle to drive to the residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that th steering angle pressure had started to fail in the electric power steering unit. The mechanic recommended that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was taken to napleton's mid rivers kia (4955 veterans memorial pkwy, st peters, mo 63376) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

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Steeling wheel and column is very loose. Whenever you hit a small bump in the road the steeling wheel looses control. It makes a loud rattling noise. Also, the radio system stop working. I would turn my car off and the stereo system would continue to play and would not cut off even when the car was turn off. Even with the keys out of the ignition. The only way you could get it to turn off was to disconnect the battery. Took car to the kia dealership they stated that their recall system has a nationwide shut down and they do not know when they will be able to repair it.

See all problems of the 2013 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

I have a clicking sound in the steering wheel. Auto mechanic stated it was an issue with the bushing of the steering column and it needed to be replaced. He mentioned that he thought there was a recall for this. It just started out of nowhere. There has been no incidents or wrecks to cause it. Is there a recall to have this replaced?.

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who replaced the steering column however, the repair failed to correct the failure. The contact stated that extra effort was needed while attempting to turn the steering wheel. The traction control warning light illuminated whenever the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken back to the mechanic for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 200,000.

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A coupler on the steering column is defective. It is causing the steering wheel to make a clicking noise every time the wheel is turned. If it is now replaced it can cause the steering to malfunction while driving.

Tl the contact owns a 2014 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel suddenly began to shake, vibrate and became very difficult to turn in either direction. The vehicle was towed to nationwide kia service center located at 20 west timonium rd, towson, MD 21093, to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the steering column was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,000. The VIN was not available.

The steering has play in it. It clicks. When driving, the tiniest bump causes a clanking, rattle throughout the steering column, and steering wheel. Causes loss of control at times.

Steering column coupler.

See all problems of the 2012 Kia Motor Optima 🔎.

On September 30th, 2019 driving on interstate 4 west bound exiting altamonte springs FL, my steering began making a thumbing sound along with a vibration. As soon as I parked, I began looking for the cause of sound. It coming from a 12 inch steering column. I call kia on October 3rd asking on any TSB or recalls on this dangerous issue. None found. This occurred with no warning. Please initiate a recall on this issue. Other owners are experiencing the same issue.

On feb18 2020 head lights again stopped working new bulbs were put in oem replacements light go off when ever they want this is extremely dangerous if your a rural roads interior light stay on or go off on there own but mostly it's the head light that work when they want to this issue happens when driving and when stationary kia has to do something to repair the problem this isn't a wear and tear people's this is subpar craftsmanship on a safety issue and I'm afraid someone will die. I have read other complaints where the car owners payed 400. 00 to replace the wiring and bulbs only to have it happen again. My other issue is that kia used a plastic star locking bearing in the steering column that broke and I had to fix at my expense mechanic said it's a problem with the cars. When driving the car making a turn you would feel the grinding in the steering wheel and hear clicking. This was on regular city paved streets.

My steering wheel started making clicking sound after researching I found it was a common problem in 2014 kia Optima caused by plastic steering coupler confident that kia would cover it because of the service bulletin put out for my yea re and back to my surprise I had to pay out of pocket $340. God know why a manufacture would put plastic in major component of the steering column. I contacted their consumer affairs department and was told my VIN was not covered and despite it being issued for my year and make no other assistance would be provided unless a future recall was issued. This is huge safety issue which I caught prior to a fatality.

My 2011 kia Optima ex started making a loud rattling sound in the steering column area. Any little bump or dip made it worse and much louder. This problem is only getting worse and the steering feels very unsafe. I noticed this when I was driving on the freeway.

Cannot control steering. Seems to want to hold in the 'center' position. When trying to correct the steering, left or right, I get a 'sticky' or 'dead spot' in the steering wheel. A few months after I bought this car, the dealer replaced thew steering column because it was 'undriveable', now a few years later, the problem is recurring. Many complaints about 'sticky' steering for kia Optimas.

Took the car into the dealer (nov16 60523 miles) because the steering had a sticking issue while driving. A TSB was performed and it did not correct the issue. The upper steering column assembly was replaced to correct the issue. The dealer said it would be a 50/50 cost as it was just out of warranty. On 18 Mar 2019 we took the car back to the dealership and was told the upper steering column assembly needed to be replaced again due to sticking. It was just over 2 years and 13677 miles again they told us it was just out of warranty. This is a safety issue with these electronic systems going out as it controls the steering of the car and as we can tell you has caused some over steering when the steering wheel sticks and additional pressure is applied to get the vehicle to respond to the steering input.

The steering has become difficult, jerky, sticks and requires much effort to control. This occurs at all speeds but of course is more prevalent at highway speeds. Kia indicated that the motor driven power steering is defective and the entire steering column has to be replaced. The car has been in for similar issues multiple times. As the car is out of warranty kia is refusing to repair this at their expense. I consider this to be a major safety issue that has the potential for injury or death to me and my family. I would like kia to resolve this issue in good faith to us as a loyal customer. Kia claim # is 12961775. The car is currently at jim butler kia in chesterfield mo awaiting an escalation to kia consumer affairs. This issue has been going on for some time, most likely since the car was new, but has recently become more noticeable and more dangerous to drive.

When operating the vehicle the steering column gets stuck and clicks. It prevents you from turning the steering wheel and makes it unsafe when attempting to turn the wheel. It does this every time the vehicle is in operation.

Steering wheel would click when turning. The beginning of the turn was not smooth. Now the steering column rattles whenever I hit a bump in the road.

Bad part in steering column , the plastic coupler is broken and it makes a horrible sound and with that part being bad it could cause the steering wheel to lock up. I first heard this noise driving to work on the freeway.

Bad part in steering column , the plastic coupler is broken after 39400 miles . This happen on many kia 's and there are no recalls yet?.

While driving,steering column starts rattling. Gets worse going over bumps. Had steering column replaced 11 months ago. This week 7/1/8, the column started rattling again. Mechanic stated it might be a coupling in the column going bad again.

I was driving in highway in July 2017. The steering wheel was drifting and slippery. It was about 84,000 miles in it. So, I brought my car in kia dealer. They showed me worn out steering coupling. I asked them to change steering coupling only but they changed whole steering wheel column and charged me $1,402. However, I found that kia extended warranty for 10 years/unlimited mileage in 2016. I am not sure why they charged me for steering issue. I complained Kia Motors America and sent all information that I have including the bills. They did not respond any letter yet. I like to have my money back. Another issue that I found in may 2018 was fast engine oil burn out. I was driving to work in highway and engine oil warning sign was blinking. So, I immediately pulled over and checked engine oil level. It was almost gone and so dark. The dealer just changed engine oil a few months ago and less than 3,000 miles driven after that. I filled up 3 quarts of blended engine oil and checked every other day. About two weeks later, it looks the level of engine oil was way lower (about 1 and half quarts were gone). I called the dealer that they said it was only engine oil burning issue not engine failure. They said it would not cover by recalls. I checked lots of complaining about engine failure issue from the internet. Based on that in many cases the engine oil burn out issue happened before engine failure. I strongly think that kia should install new engine under warranty or recalls because I really concern about me and family's safety.

Traction control light started turning on in April 2018 while driving on a city street causing the steering to lock and making it difficult to drive. Had to pull over turn car on and off. Light turned off and car was able to drive normally again. Light continued to come on and off but recently started happening more frequently. Took it to kia and was told it was an internal malfunction of the steering column assembly (see paperwork). If I was driving on the freeway who knows what could have happened with the steering wheel locking while driving.

The steering column is making a clicking noise like something is loose inside it. I am afraid it will break completely and I'll lose all steering while I'm driving. It makes the noise when I hit a bump or veering left or right. It feels like it jerks. I travel quite a bit and have a one year old child. I've also read many complaints about this model having the same issue with other people. I am writing this complaint because I feel that this is not an isolated problem and am asking someone to look at this problem and address it. Thank you for your time.

The contact owns a 2011 kia Optima. While driving 50 mph, the steering wheel shook uncontrollably. The contact had to reduce the speed to maintain control of the vehicle. The vehicle made an abnormal noise during the failure. While driving over bumps, the steering column jerked uncontrollably. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Vehicle steering has become faulty. When the steering wheel is turned while parked or driving, it sticks then moves freely without the wheels turning. This sticking is accompanied by a knocking/clicking in the steering column. This most often happens when turning the steering wheel from it's center position. I'm unsure of the cause. This started approximately 3 weeks ago (30oct17) and has persisted. I'm very concerned that this is going to escalate into a dangerous situation. Can you please assist?.

Clicking in steering column while making turns. Getting worse each time. When in motion or not. Clicking is always there. Started a week ago.

There is play in the steering wheel and a clicking sound. The dealership claims the steering column needs to be replaced at a cost of $1350.

When driving the steering wheel makes a loud clicking noise and if you hit a bumb its louder. If you barely turn the wheel while driving you can hear it make a clicking sound. When you hit a bumb it intensifies the sound and and makes you think something is loose in the steering column.

The steering column inside started making noises like something cracked inside nowthe sterling wheel make noises on every turn.

At 40,000 miles the steering began getting 'sticky' or 'stuck' at the 12 oclock position. It was particularly noticable when cruising down the highway. It got so bad that it was impossible not to overcorrect and veer left and right (mildly). The dealer replaced a part called the flex coupler and the problem vanished. One year later, at 51,000 miles the car is doing the exact same thing again. Now, however, the car is out of warranty (by a month). The dealer tells me that it needs a new steering column and that will cost me <> 1500 dollars. If my experiences are any indication, I will be replacing steering parts every 10,000 miles??? bad steering is very pretty unsafe guys. Think we can do something about this? I'm not the only person with this problem.

The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a clicking noise could be heard coming from the steering column and it was also loose. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The steering is bad. It's been like that since I bought it. When it's windy my car is all over the place it's hard to steer. I have to align it every year. I took it for an alignment and they want to charge me 1220. 50 to change the mdps steering wheel column. My steering wheel will not center right. I've already almost had a couple of accidents due to the steering when it's windy and also on the freeway. It's unsafe and I don't have the money to put out for a new mdps steering wheel column. . I love my car but it's unsafe. It's happens when it's windy or when I drive on the freeway. I seen online there is a lot of complaints about the same issue. I feel it should be recalled or someone's going to lose their life if they haven't already.

The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. While driving various speeds, the steering column vibrated and a loud noise was heard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the steering column would need to be removed in order to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 52,827. The VIN was unavailable.

The contact owns a 2012 kia Optima. The contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound in the steering column. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the lock in the steering wheel fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.